The Church Pianist: Technique Tip of the Day

Get a Grip…Try Hand Lotion!

One of my pet peeves is playing on a piano after someone has smeared their hand lotion all over the keys. I tend to slide all over the place!

Dry hands also cause me to lose my grip on the keys. I discovered the following trick by accident. It really helps!

Put several squirts of lotion on your hands and rub it in. Simply run water (no soap) over your hands to rinse it off but not real well. Dry your hands off. You should have some lotion residue on your hands but not enough to feel sticky. (I used St. Ives Oatmeal & Shea Butter).
What a difference it makes! I’m able to play Malequena without falling off the keys.

Get a grip and see for yourself!

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The Church Pianist: What Makes a Good Offertory?

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1. A Christian with a willing heart who practices in advance.


2. A hymn familar to the majority of the listeners.


3. Clear melody throughout so the listeners can think the words as you play.

As I play an offertory, I sing the words to the song in my head to focus on the message.

The Lord can guide your heart to play in a more meaningful way as you dwell on the words.

A Good Offertory will minister to the heart and bring honor and glory to God.

The Church Pianist: Enough Practice?

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Some pianists have asked me what is considered enough practice time for various specials.

Here’s a general list of practice guidelines.

Vocal soloists:
At least 2 weeks in advance with no less than 3 practice sessions.

Duets, Trios, Quartets and other vocal ensembles:
At least one month in advance depending on the difficulty of the song. This involves at least 5 practices.

Practice is the key to effective communication! It is the singer or musician’s responsibility to schedule their practices with the church pianist or other accompanist (with the exception of ensembles).

The Church Pianist (Left Hand Accompaniment Tips)

1. To prevent a muddy tone, do not play a 3 note chord lower than Bass C.
(The 1st C under middle C)


2. When using broken LH chords for accompaniment: use 1-5-10-
instead of 1-3-5 for a more open tone.

For example: in the key of C….the broken chord: C-E-G (1-3-5)
could be changed to C-G-E (1-5-10)

(It’s a wider broken chord but sounds more pleasing than
the 1-3-5 broken chord.)



Try out these left hand tips on a song that lends itself to a flowing tempo such as:
"My Jesus I Love Thee".

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The Church Pianist: Using Choir Arrangements for Offertories

Have you ever thought of using a choir arrangement for an offertory?

Choir arrangements are suited well for piano & organ offertories. The pianist plays the piano accompaniment and the organist plays the choir parts.

Just remember, the piano accompaniment doesn’t usually carry the melody. Therefore, the pianist must lower his or her volume in order for the organ’s melody to be heard.

Balance is the key!

Have fun trying out your choir arrangements for offertories!

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The Church Pianist: Introduction Tips for Congregational Singing (Part Two)

(Question & Answer Format)

1. What part of the song should be the introduction?

Normally, the first and last phrase of the song. (Beginning the introduction with the first
phrase allows the congregation to hear how the song starts.)

2. What about introductions for a song with more than one time signature?

It is very important to play the first and last phrase of the verse. (as long as the verse ends on a one chord.)

The congregation needs to hear the initial time signature. I prefer to play the first line of the song with chord modifications near the end of the sentence.

For example: "Sweeter As the Years Go By"

(3/4 time on verse & 4/4 time on chorus)

I would play: “Of Jesus’ love that sought me When I was lost in sin. (first line)

The words: “…lost in sin” would have to be altered to make the intro sound complete.

Here are the alterations; one word at a time:

“lost” change melody to a “G” above middle C (use an E flat 7 chord in left hand)

“in” change melody to a “B flat” above middle C (hold the previous LH chord)

“sin” change melody to an “A flat” above middle C (use A flat chord in LH)

It is up to the church pianist to give a clear introduction.

The above pointers will help to create a stable introduction for congregational singing.

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The Church Pianist: Introduction Tips for Congregational Singing: Part One

"And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men." Colossian 3:23

The introduction plays a vital role in congregational singing!

We serve a living God! Therefore, the church pianist's introduction should reflect this message.
Remember; we express emotion through music. Be excited about each song you introduce!
If you are tired, don't allow it to show in your playing. The congregation will pick up on it.

1. Give a rousing, loud introduction...encouraging the congregation to join in song.
2. Keep the introduction moving to the very end. Slowing down destroys the singing tempo and causes confusion for intial entry of singers.

These few tips for the church pianist will make a huge difference in the congregational singing!

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Prelude Tips for the Church Pianist

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Purpose of prelude:

To create a sense of readiness in the hearts of God’s people.

Preludes also rally everyone to the auditorium!

What’s a prelude?

It’s the music played prior to the church service. Fast to medium speed tempos work well. I enjoy playing thematic preludes. When possible, it’s nice to correlate the prelude with the pastor’s upcoming message.

Sample of a thematic prelude

(Mix the songs according to tempos; I usually play 2 verses of each)

Suggested length of preludes: At least 7 minutes

There is a Fountain (medium tempo)
Nothing but the Blood (fast tempo)
The Cleansing Wave (medium)
When I See the Blood (fast)
Glory to His Name (medium)

Invitation Tips for the Church Pianist

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Music creates emotion. We as church pianists want to create the proper mood for the invitation.
Here are a few tips to follow if your pastor likes background music while he speaks during the invitation.

1. Play soft and slow to create a meditative mood.

2. Before congregation or choir joins in song, the pianist must transistion to either a I or V7 chord
to allow a strong lead in for singers.

3. For churches using a faster singing tempo, simply speed up gradually before everyone sings.

User Friendly Techniques for the Church Hymnal

1. Right or left hand: use a light staccato touch during quick or awkward note passages to relieve
hand tension. (This works great during alot of rapid left hand octave movement).


2. Omit pedal during the above described situation to produce a clear, energized tone!
Excessive pedaling produces a cloudy tone.


3. Right hand: omit alto notes during fast or awkward melody notes to avoid dragging the tempo.

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